Our Army At War #83

It seems a little odd writing about war comics in the middle of the most festive time of the year. It is this time of year however when I think about war the most. The sacrifices that others have made in the past, and still make today, so I can sit at home relatively care-free with my friends and family. Soldiers freezing their behinds off in a trench while I sit by a cozy fire sipping eggnog. I feel fortunate and grateful to them for their service. The first two world wars and the Korean war have taken up most of my attention, but to me any person volunteering to serve their country (and the reasons they do so vary widely) deserves a measure of respect.

Our Overvalued Overstreet pick this week is an early Silver age DC key featuring the many early appearances of Sgt. Rock. First let’s look at some of the books we will be talking about today and their current valuations.

Our army at War #82 6.0 $354 / 8.0 $944 / 9.0 $2122 / 9.2 $3300
“Hold up Easy” 1st app of a Sgt. Rock in name only, in a support role, six panels. May 1959.

Our army at War #83 6.0$2199 8.0$6231 9.0$14,116 9.2$22,000
“The Rock and Wall” is the first true appearance of Sgt. Rock the definitive version.

As you can there are four comics which make up the rock formation of the character known as Sgt. Rock. The valuations listed above look a little odd as we would understand prices for prototypes and first appearances. Let’s take a look back at the history of each of these books in the Overstreet price guide.

G.I. Combat #68 – this issue was first discovered as a Sgt. Rock prototype somewhere between Overstreet #32 and #35 where I first found it listed. It has been valued at the #3 position in this group of four almost since it was discovered. It later becomes known as the prototype for Our Army at War #83. I wish I could buy Tales To Astonish #27 for a sliver of the value issue #35.

Our Army at War #81 – it was listed as the first appearance of Sgt. Rock and had the highest valuation, all the way up to Overstreet #39 (seven years ago). A massive valuation change took place between Overstreet #39 and #45. I wish I would have hung to my old Overstreets and would have if I knew I was going to be doing these posts. This book is now listed as a second prototype of Sgt. Rock known as “Rocky”. No one at Overstreet must have ever played on a men’s team of any kind. A person with the last name Rock would have almost certainly been nicknamed “Rocky” by his mates. This is one of the most ridiculous interpretations/statements I have ever read in Overstreet.

Our Army at War #82 – might be a third prototype or second appearance. It is seen as continuation of the Sgt. Rock/Easy Company saga and the light-weight issue of this group and has always been valued 4th.

Our Army at War #83 – is now seen as the definitive version of Sgt. Rock and his narrative with Easy company. The book is drawn by legendary artist Joe Kubert who has an extended run and future history with the Sgt. Rock character. The book itself has exploded price-wise and is now almost 5 times more than it was seven years ago, (9.2 $4500). Our Army at War #81 has moved from 9.2 $5500 to $9000 in the same time frame.

Overstreet has created a convoluted mess in terms of the valuations of Prototypes, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd appearances during evolution of the character Sgt. Rock. They have even added another new term for valuing a comic the “definitive version” of the character. Add it to the list of cameo, brief, partial, first-full appearances that add unquantifiable value to a comic. That current valuation for Our Army at War #83 seems ludicrous to me for the 3rd or 4th appearance of the character, and would scare the hell out of me if I purchased one at today’s prices.

I know Sgt. Rock is a well- loved character and I know these books don’t grow on trees in grade. I just don’t see a real future for war comics going forward. I don’t see them being read by kids and most parents avoid the genre altogether. Run books seem to languish in bins like westerns.

In General, I see the market for Sgt. Rock comics and all war titles fading. Although investing in comics is strictly a private matter, I think staying in this market in a big way invites Corporal punishment for your wallet at some point down the road. Anyone who purchased or owned an Our Army At War #81 or #83 ten years ago would no doubt disagree with me on this one if they still owned it today. Captain serious signing off.

Here is wishing everyone a Happy Near in 2017. Should be an interesting year…

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26 Comments

Ed Dee
on December 29, 2016 at 9:10 am

Mike, I respectfully disagree. I have been waiting for Walt to feature this book in his undervalued spotlight ! I know war comics are not popular as they once were. I remember as a kid putting on a helmet and getting my toy machine gun and rolling in the dirt, making tree houses, etc. Most kids are too busy playing on their phones or Playstation these days so I can understand why there is lack of interest. I do however actively try to collect these and it is very hard to find these comics you mentioned as well as other war comics from the 50’s- early 70’s in anything above 8.5. I presume that these comics were lower in distribution then popular titles like Batman so finding these in higher grade due to their scarcity might elicit some higher numbers at auction. As an aside, I don’t care for romance comics but if I find one in 9.0 and up, I jump on it for the same reason.

Mike Huddleston
on December 29, 2016 at 11:05 am

Hi Ed,

There is never a problem with disagreeing in this column – especially respectful ones.

If I were picking an undervalued book from these four I would have have taken G.I. Combat #68. If this is indeed ” the” prototype for Sgt. Rock.

I like Our Army at War #81 for the grey-tone cover and for the fact that it was considered the first appearance of Sgt. rock for forty years + before Overstreet changed there minds.

I won’t argue with you these books are real tough in grade (romance and westerns too). Our army at War #83 would be extra tough with it’s black background cover. That said I wonder how many copies OAAW #83 traded hands over the last few years to drive the price of the books up by 5X? How much demand is driving these prices? You only need a couple of people who really want the book to get the price at auction. You might get it, but I do see it as a bit of a gamble. I don’t think there is a broad base appeal for these types of books. and for this type of money I personally would probably stick to something a little more tested and true like a high grade Spider-Man or something of that ilk for a long -term buy. $20K opens the doors to a lot of books.

Jonathan
on December 29, 2016 at 2:02 pm

I bought Our Army at War 83 years and years ago–when 81 was still considered Rock’s first appearance. I bought it because I actually read reprints of the stories themselves and it was clear to me that 83 was Rock’s first real appearance. It seems a little odd to me to devote a whole column about the fact that Overstreet finally fixed a long-running error — and offer no evidence whatsoever that the market for silver/bronze war comics is dying. If that’s the case, I would have thought it’d be easy to post some price trends showing it beginning. I think younger collectors are more likely to have disdain for war comics. But as men age, their interest sometimes is piqued by previously ignored genres such as westerns and war. So, as long as collectors are going to continue aging, I don’t think the market for silver/bronze war is going to reverse itself any time soon.

Mike Huddleston
on December 29, 2016 at 4:49 pm

Hey Jonathan – thanks for this post. I actually was using some data from Comiclink and info from some local comic dealers and collectors. Apparently you weren’t one of them^-^!

Practically everyone I spoke to said that mid-low grade run books were almost at a standstill. They have a devote core following but they see almost no new collectors of this genre. We are in Southern Ontario here, it may be different elsewhere in Canada and the US. I was thinking silver-age on Comiclink (my thanks to the site). In there current for sale section I found the following: Our Army at War #1-83

This would indicate low demand for me on the title itself. Unhealthy numbers in terms of demand especially has they had some nice books in there. The key books #81-82 are likely in demand in high grade only. And #83 is hot as a fire -cracker in demand in all grades. I might have this book wrong:)!

I think I also understand why “definitive” was used in describing Sgt Rock’s first appearance in issue #83 as I found three more Sgt. Rock prototypes #61,67, & 73 on comiclink. I still have a hard time with the idea that Sgt. Rock’s first appearance was not in #81, maybe it just wasn’t the definitive one, but Overstreet has spoken.

It proves to me what Overstreet says and does still carries a lot of weight in the comic book marketplace. I’d like to see the evidence on what took this book to a value 5X it’s previous high – before they changed it to the true 1st appearance. How many sales drove that change?

I do agree with you, men’s interests do change as they grow older. I also agree that the over-all market for silver/bronze war comics is not going to reverse itself any time soon. It will continue to shrink.

I will track down some GPA data and Census numbers and post them here, no matter how bad it makes me look ^-^!.

PS Sgt. Rock is no doubt the favorite war character of the people I spoke too. Sgt. Fury is only coveted in high grade or on issues #1 or #13. Run books have there audience but tend to languish in the bins and are heavily discounted to sell.

Ed Dee
on December 29, 2016 at 9:04 pm

Mike, I checked GPA analysis oaaw#83 has it’s highest grade at 8.0. That went for almost 18k in august of 2015. Most of the sales are lower grade, 3.0-4.0. #82 has the highest graded at 8.5 that sold for $1,400 in 2011. #81 has it’s highest graded at 9.0 and sold for $7,100 in 2013. Most of the sale of these are low to mid-grade. #83 has 2 graded at 8.0, #82 has 1 at 8.5 and 81 has 1 at 9.0.

I have a friend, who sometimes sets up shows, and he’s always quick to pick up OAAW#83 when ever he’s sees it offered up cheap. I would think to myself that it’s going to be tough book to resell but he manages to flip it with relative ease and prove me wrong. He’s done this several times… but, I still don’t have the guts buy one myself. Same could be said about Sgt. Fury, although his evolution into Nick Fury offers some support. Outside of their first appearance, there’s seems to be zero interest in their subsequent issues, which gives me pause. Even though we are probably talking about speculative purchases, I’d feel more comfortable if there was more genuine interest in the character… or the genre. There maybe less demand for run issues these days but at least Spidey, X-Men and Deadpool do have a following, which add value to their respective key books.

Mike Huddleston
on December 29, 2016 at 10:37 pm

Ed – thank you very much for this. I need to get back on that site. There are not many books in grade is there. Maybe you better pick one up Ed – if you can find one!

It makes you wonder how Overstreet comes up with there numbers. Perhaps in low trading books they extrapolate the low grade prices realized, to the high grade price by the percentage of value assigned to the grade by Overstreet. Who knows.

If a 9.2 Our Army at War #83 came to auction today it would be hard to bet against it not getting the Overstreet guide price. I guess this is why I shouldn’t pick on keys ^-^!

Thanks again for this Ed. Have a happy new year and a great 2017.

Mike Huddleston
on December 29, 2016 at 10:55 pm

Hi Charlie,

In Our army at War #83 I probably highlighted the best war comic worth buying and flipping :)! I believe the whole war comic genre is in some trouble, like westerns and romance books. As Ed & Jonathan have pointed out there are still fans of these genres and high grade books always seem to find a home. Like you, I don’t see what will bring new fans to the table in a large amounts. There hasn’t been many new war series since Sgt. Rock ceased publication in 1977. Where is the demand for war comics? I too don’t see these books as solid long term investments. Thanks for chiming in Charlie.

Here’s a thought… If you believe that TV replaced certain comic genres like westerns, , sci fi, monsters, romance and war, can or will the current rise of superhero shows replace superhero comics? My daughters love watching the Justice League on TV but they have no interest in the comics.

However, Harlequin romance novels still remain popular but reading takes effort and comic readers are aided by bright colourful pictures with very few words to actually read. Perhaps it’s not about the medium but an inclusion into the DC or Marvel universe and the feeling of being connected, in the same way sport fans like to talk stats… they belong to a community. If the superhero universe gets built out in the movies, what need is there for the comics?

Dave Mackay
on December 30, 2016 at 7:24 pm

Mike thanks for a great topic, again.
Over the past thirty years I’ve seen few comics have the collecting fluctuation as those of the BIg Five DC War Books. Some years they are hot and others less so. But they are so desired that Overstreet has devoted a section solely for that specific marketplace…..the War report, the seventh installment in this years guide.
For thirty years, more or less, Our Army at War, Our Fighting Forces, GI Combat, Star Spangled War Stories and the beautiful All American Men of War sold briskly.
As Robert Kanigher , creator and editor of most of the above, said, the war line was very cheap for DC Comics. Not a penny was spent on publicizing it. The comics code ignored it, despite that it was the most violent subject matter in the comics field. And it sold very well.
To this day many suspect that Spielberg’s Jurassic Park was based on Kanigher’s War that time forgot series. ( Star Spangled War Stories respectively #90 to #137 aprox.)
That’s a movie that has generated billions of dollars. Who knows how much more a series of movies ,with cross overs of characters, such as Sgt Rock, , the Haunted tank, the iron Major, Johnny Cloud, Gunner and Sarge, Mlle Marie, pooch , et al could generate. What is for certain, these characters and stores by Kanigher,Heath and Kubert and other have already delighted and inspired many.
None of these examples are my own Mike. Please see Chris Pedrin’s big Five War book from 1994 that explains the history of Sgt Rock and various characters. It is his research that has most effected Overstreet’s values. The chapter titled the Sgt Rock mystery explained is telling.
In fairness, most mid grade and low grade comics of all genres are slow sellers. Please don’t mistake this for being unpopular. Its just the reality of today’s collecting market, as real comic collectors are dying, and todays readers are 5% the number of what yester-years were.
Chris Pedrin suggests that Sgt Rock might be DC’s most important original Character of the Silver age. DC other characters were mostly Golden age hold overs. And he appeared before Spiderman !!
Investing in Comics can also be for the long term. Don’t be surprised if the DC War books don’t find their way to a Movie Universe sometime in the next Twenty years.
Thanks Mike for getting my collecting Juices going ! And a “Fair Warning” ….if you become too familiar with the Big Five DC war books, it might become an all consuming collecting Need.
Great writers and artists, grey tone covers and wonderful concepts all neatly wrapped into an Universe of its own.

Dave Mackay
on December 30, 2016 at 7:39 pm

Of interest Mike….a writer named Eddie Herron wrote in 1955’s All American Men of War #28 of a man nick named the Rock. This is a title Kanigher edited and is likely the earliest genesis of Sgt Rock. Mr Herron died in the early 70’s but always insisted he was the creator of Sgt Rock. At this point comic fandom was small and nobody cared……..until much later.
Kubert did illustrate this story.

Mike Huddleston
on December 30, 2016 at 8:20 pm

If the film industry starts making super-hero movies that have no connection to past comic book stories (ie original screenplays) and they are successful, I think you might have something to worry about. I don’t know how much interest a company like Disney has in maintaining and publishing comic books. That said there is so much material out there already to draw on they could probably stop now and still have plenty left for the next 10-15 years or until the super-hero movie popularity plays itself out. I think you are right about the feeling of inclusion, and belonging to a community. We felt it reading comics. You can get that same feeling via TV, Phone, and the movies today.

Speaking of westerns, a very popular TV show – Gunsmoke! ran for 25 years or so and was adapted for TV from a popular radio show in the late forties/early fifties. A comic book was also produced based on the TV show. I have a future post (plug, plug,) in progress that will explore how Radio , TV, and comics all intertwined in the early days of TV. We might see some of the parallels in the comics of today and the movie and TV mediums.

Mike Huddleston
on December 30, 2016 at 8:38 pm

Dave thank you for a pair of awesome posts. It appears I have unknowingly un-earthed another devoted war comic buff. Walt has always said that I would learn more from our fan-base than I ever new about comics, and he was right. Looks like I have more reading to do! I love those grey-tone covers too. Stephan Keismann put me on those.

I am paying for being a bit of a marvel zombie here. Sgt Fury was not one of my favorite books and put me off war comics in general. The one group of war comics I really did enjoy were reprints of early 1950’s EC’s Two-Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat. They were not heavy on “super-soldiers” and more gritty and realistic in my opinion. Great artwork in those books too.

Jonathan
on December 30, 2016 at 11:08 pm

Mike, thanks for the thoughtful, researched response. I think genres tend to do best when there are specific characters that have built followings. Non-key war books might be soft for that reason. Same thing with non-Jonah Hex westerns. I tend to think there are few enough of the high-grade keys out there that their high prices will continue to entice interest from new collectors/speculators. I realize some genres fall and never recover, but others fall and bring in new buyers/collectors at the lower prices, starting a cycle of appreciation again. We shall see!

Jonathan, can you be specific and provide examples from the “cycle of appreciation” that has brought in new buyers/collectors?

Dave Mackay
on December 31, 2016 at 3:40 am

Hi Charlie and Mike
My experience is that comic books were the computer games of their day.
I’ve read that Dell Tarzan comics had a world wide circulation of 6 million copies a month. I’m certain this was a fairly recent comic book marketplace issue or Alto Ego. ( recent being in the last 15 years to me 😀 ) DC was hoping to duplicate this when they got The Tarzan rights in 1972. They circulated 209,000 comics of Tarzan 207 and maintained that for 20 issues. It dropped to 145,000 there after. ( source the standard catalog of comic books)
Gold Keys Tarzan circulation bottomed out at print run of 363,916 in 1971.
DC and Gold Key just didn’t have Dells worldwide distribution ability. Some of this had been created by Dell showcasing Walt Disney , Warner Brothers properties’Tarzan and Roy Rogers comics, TV properties et al., huge properties in their time.
According to Michele Nolan , Walt Disney Comics and stories had single issue runs of 3 million copies at its height of popularity and when Dell sold the rights to Gold Key in the early 1960’s, the Catalog of comics notes their print runs circ. statement still at slightly over a million copies . Gold Keys print runs were less then half of this and by the 1980’s 70,000 and the 1990’s 7000 copies printed/circulated.
Bugs Bunny is noted as 322,317 circulated copies by Gold key in 1964. This figure again was much higher in Dells comics hey day.
Over at Harvey , the Friendly Ghost Casper in 1962 is noting circulation of 436,000 monthly in just one of his titles. By 1974 it was 1/3 of this.
Batman 1967 circulation was 898,000. Supermans Girlfriend LL Giant sized #68, year 1966 circulation statement 530,000.
Archie circulation 1962 was 308,000. By 1974 220,000 and 1987 66,000. I could go on and on.
So, if you begin to calculate the big companies of the day such as DC, Marvel (Atlas), Harvey, Archie,Dell, Charlton, and ignore the rest such as St Johns, AMG and such…and then consider the Genres within each company, western,war, romance, funny animal, superhero, horror, photo covers, today’s market doesn’t even begin to compare. Today I of course look at Diamonds orders. These numbers pale to the past. And the number of titles and genres are drastically less.
Further, readers in the day usually didn’t have the funds to buy thirty to fifty titles a month as today’s collectors routinely do. This support more readers to go along with greater circulations.
As a former comic shop owner I spoke to my customers. Id suggest over half admitted to not reading much of what they purchased. This was discouraging to me and I really tried to encourage them to only buy what they truly would read. From 1965 to 1990 I read every single issue I bought. From 1990 to 2005 I bought thousands of comics, maintaining my collection, but reading none. I no longer buy the new comics and I was as guilty as many of my former customers of not reading what I purchased for that 15 year period.
So I guess I base that figure on a guess Charlie, but formulated it by sales experience,reading sales stats and various histories of comic companies through the years.
Maybe It would have been easier for me to say it was a complete guess !! 😀

Thanks Dave. That’s been my observation and experience as well but there are many deluded collectors who keep trying to tell me how the market is growing so I was looking for an actual reference that I can point to.

Most comics are not rare, of course. They are only somewhat rare in high grades. Thus, mid to low grades not selling well is probably also a result of over supply relative to the size of the market. High grade run issues of popular titles seem to do okay but only if they are priced right… such books as JLA #8 or ASM#5. Even then, it’s takes time fishing for a real collector (not speculator) to come along. With less popular title or genres, I’d say it’s difficult at best, outside of the keys.

Tarzan is a great example. The Lone Ranger, Billy the Kid, Jessie James are others that I assume would have a huge following and it’s this brand recognition that Hollywood tries to bank on. Star Trek definitely has a massive following and Star Wars of course, but with a movie coming out every year, the excitement for SW#1 seems to have died down. Alex Ross and Dynamite have tried to revitalize past franchises such as the Phantom, Green Hornet and the Hanna Barbera characters but this is largely a play on nostalgia. I know that SW comics represented 20% of Marvel sales at its peak so perhaps one can use this as an example of a come back. So, can Sgt Rock and war comics be popular again within this backdrop? Personally, I prefer to watch movies like Platoon and Full Metal Jacket.

Dave Mackay
on December 31, 2016 at 4:09 pm

Hey Charlie…a lot of the guys that saw action in WW2 are gone. But many of them were part of the comic industry post world war 2.
I suspect their perspective might have been clearer then those of current day movie and book Creators who never saw combat.
Kirby for instance saw combat. A few of his War books are beauty’s.
Stan Lee guarded the West coast. Who of those two do you think had a better understanding of the war and soldiers?
I guess it may seem small of me to make light of Lee’s efforts…..but there is a reoccurring theme here…Kirby the Real Deal…Stan the man, a man of self promotion.
The comics may have romanticised WW2, but it is my experience that that is what the front line veterans did. My father did three in Holland,France Poland and Germany and loved it. Grand Dad served in WW1 and WW2 and felt the same. Neither read a comic book in their life but they sure didn’t mind helping me collect. As a kid I use to ask them to tell me of the Living legend of WW 2 Captain America. To their credit they never spoiled it for me. 🙂
Having said that I recently saw Hacksaw Ridge and loved it.

War comics were never my favorite growing up , but there were a ton of great artists that did some of their best work on War titles through the Gold and Silver Age.The giants in the industry , who either had first hand experience in the fight or just the relative nearness to the conflicts themselves.Kirby ,Colan, Kubert, Grandenetti to name a few , appeal to me more now than ever.Stunning artwork and some great stories as well.
I think the nearness of World War II was a contributing factor to the interest in these titles and hopefully we never have another reference point to increase the popularity of such titles…but that is probably wishful thinking.

My dad was in the Korea war but he never talks about it. Military service is mandatory in Korea and was one of the reasons why my family left. Uncertain times back then…

I guess Mel Gibson thinks enough time has passed that people have forgotten about his behaviour. Possibly… but I’m not ready to give him any money yet. As a minority with 3 daughters, racism and misogyny hits too close to home.

I think part of the problem with war comics is that war has become high tech. Those early Sgt. Rock books can be viewed as boring and outdated by the general public as history often is. How can those types of stories compete with wars that take place out in space, ie; Star Wars, Secret Wars, Infinity War, Civil War… etc. From what I understand about evolution, it just goes one way unless the conditions themselves revert.

Happy New Year gents!

Mike Huddleston
on January 1, 2017 at 3:17 pm

Hi guys

I was busy collecting some further info on Sgt. Rock when I came across an interesting one. Undervalued Spotlight #7 Our army at War #83. No wonder he is not talking to me. Ed Dee the deed has already been done! Back when the book was only worth $4500 in 9.2. I will quickly slink away now to the census numbers.

Interesting numbers. They certainly confirm the books are all tough to find in grade. Zero books in the 9.2 grade. Easy to see why some collectors are happy to buy low grade copies. Chasing high grade is like trying to find a ghost.

These numbers still don’t explain to me the wide disparity in the Overstreet guide today between Our Army at War #81 & #83. I am all for correcting mistakes, but why did the price of issue #83 blow so far past the former number 1 issue #81? Why didn’t it just raise the price of #83 a touch past “81 or to the same level and reduce #81 (ha ha ha). A way back at the beginning of this post you can see there is a very wide discrepancy between the value of these books now. There is not a big difference in rarity between these two books. Even increased demand for #83 shouldn’t warrant that kind of split.

Lots of debate on old board posts on this subject. Even Our Army at War #82 and G.I.Combat #68 gets some love as the first “true” appearance of Sgt. Rock.

Looks like I will need to buy another bunch of donuts before going to visit Walt again ^-^!

Dave Mackay
on January 2, 2017 at 2:12 pm

hey guys…
Chris Pedrin’s The Big Five Information Guide #1 is a comprehensive reference volume covering the five major war titles published by DC Comics: All American Men of War, G.I. Combat, Our Fighting Forces, Our Army at War, and Star-Spangled War Stories. Amazing in its detail, this reference work has a checklist covering ever issue of each of the five titles including writers, artists, inkers and the title of each story in every issue. Included is a checklist of all writers and artists who have contributed to the five titles covered, an article regarding the reasons why Our Army at War #83 is the actual first appearance of Sgt. Rock (as opposed to earlier prototype appearances), an article covering the work of artist George Evans (of EC fame) for DC’s war books. Additional articles cover the Adler washtone covers, and the “other” famous DC sergeants–Sgt. Mule. There is reproduced art by Mort Drucker, Joe Kubert, Ric Estyrada, George Evans, and Russ Heath. Softcover trade PB, 7″ x 10 3/4″, 116 B&W pages, color covers. Cover price $8.95.
available on the net and worth ten times the price in my opinion.
Like Charle, I disliked War books all my life, but stumbled onto a high grade find in the late 80’s and I’ve been hooked ever since.
As a youth I think the stories were a little to adult for my tastes, but I sure enjoy them now. ( In small doses )

Dave Mackay
on January 2, 2017 at 2:25 pm

Hey Charlie…sorry I support Mel Gibson. I’ve been a fan all my life of his work.
And I haven’t faced the challenges you’ve obviously faced. So please forgive my doing so.
In my profession I certainly see hate crime and racism and victims. In my own life I’ve been exposed to less enlightened individuals and such. .
I’m just glad you’ve found success. Equally glad your Father served his country and sought a better life for his family.
Because of Our fore fathers and Mothers we can have the luxury of sharing and loving our hobbies together.

readcomix
on January 2, 2017 at 7:46 pm

Hi guys and Happy New year!

About a week ago, I stumbled on a similar topic on the CGC boards and lost two hours reading old posts. I’m starting to think that one’s view on OOAW #83 is a litmus test for one’s outlook on the future of comic collecting.
One either asks what will attract readers to the war genre, let alone its most expensive book, down the road; or one looks at the book’s fundamentals and figures future collectors will all study the hobby’s history and want it, thus maintaining its status.
I guess its current market value and scarcity coupled with its declining genre make it a lightning rod moreso than an Adventure #40 or Blue Beetle #53 or any number of dozens of books that are no shoo-in to maintain mass appeal across future generations.
I just hope the whole #81/#83 reversal reminds anyone holding multiple Hulk 181’s to hedge with a 180 or two.

Mike Huddleston
on January 3, 2017 at 10:30 am

Hello Readcomx and a Happy New Year to you as well. I think you summed up the way most people feel about these war books. It certainly makes for lively debate. There are so many varying opinions on this group of books and their order of importance.

I have always felt Incredible Hulk #180 is a bit undervalued today. Back in the day when a 1st appearance was a 1st appearance and priced as such Incredible Hulk #180 was the big dog and book to own over issue #181. I don’t know if Overstreet would pull a double reversal now after this much water has traveled under the bridge, and the value difference that has built up between these two books – but you never know.